Waste paper

Improper paper disposal
Newspaper waste
Inadequate recycling of paper

Nature

Pre-consumer waste paper has long been a by-product of paper manufacture. It is produced from paper mill overruns, sideroll trims and other paper offcuts. Paper made from it used to be called "mill-broke" and was considered a substandard product; now it is often called "recycled". Post-consumer waste is paper which has already been in circulation. It has to be collected, perhaps sorted, and de-inked before being used in the manufacture of recycled paper. The Department of Trade and Industry in the UK has defined recycled paper as being that which contains at least 50% recycled fibres (as opposed to virgin pulp), and so could contain a percentage of either of these wastes.

Claim

Waste paper is a critical environmental issue that demands urgent attention. Every year, millions of trees are felled to produce paper, contributing to deforestation and habitat loss. Moreover, discarded paper clogs landfills, releasing harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases. Recycling and reducing paper usage are not just options; they are necessities for a sustainable future. We must prioritize waste paper management to protect our planet, conserve resources, and combat climate change. The time to act is now!

Counter-claim

Waste paper is often exaggerated as a pressing issue, but in reality, it pales in comparison to more critical environmental challenges like plastic pollution and climate change. The recycling processes for paper are well-established, and the industry has adapted to manage waste effectively. Focusing on waste paper diverts attention and resources from far more significant problems that require urgent action. Let’s prioritize our efforts on issues that truly threaten our planet’s future, rather than getting bogged down by paper waste.